Help me find odd-sized storage furniture

8 years ago

Our teeny tiny mudroom is in need of a little upgrade. We have a little shelf unit that is needed for misc "stuff" that doesn't go in the closet -- the dog leashes and collars, hats and gloves in the summer, sunscreen and bug spray in summer. You get the picture. Please don't suggest that I store all this in the closet because that just won't work.

The mirror on the wall is new and isn't going anywhere. It's made from pieces of reclaimed wood. It is 30" wide and I would like to find a storage piece that is also 30-32" wide that works with the rustic nature of the mirror. I'm envisioning a rustic pine piece or something white-washed, maybe. There are a few persnickety details that are making it really hard to find something:

- max width is 32"

- max height is about 42" and I don't want it to be too much shorter than that, because I'd like to maximize the storage potential and I think it needs to be that tall to look right with the large mirror. Obviously the light switch and alarm thingie are not moving.

- there is a heat register on the floor, so the piece needs to have legs and not too close to the floor. DH has a cow when he thinks the heat is being blocked by furniture. Also, he likes to kick off his shoes and leave them under the shelf unit that is there now.

- it can't be too deep. Something like 12" would be great but I could live with 15" or so.

I would love some drawers but that may be impossible given all the restrictions, so open shelves are fine -- we use baskets now and that's okay. If I use a bookcase, I'd prefer a unit with sides, unlike the one I have now.

Here is a pic that is obviously NOT staged! And is also sideways...sorry. Any suggestions? I am sure I could have something custom made, but I don't really feel like investing that much...

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Comments (17)

Elraes Miller
8 years ago
I have been looking for specific pieces also. Went to Amazon and O. There were a lot of options with a wide range of sizes in cabinets, storage, etc. Nice rustic or plain. I even looked at sofa tables with drawers. Was going to order 3 pieces, one for the bath next to a ped sink and two for kitchen storage. Got an email from Target and they had the same units for half the price plus free shipping. I'm still not sure why they were so much less, but it will be easy to take back to the store if they don't work. It did take me a lot of perusing to find the right dimensions,- plus drawers, but worth the time. Take a look at the 3 sites, you my find something to work. A lot of the sofa tables had legs with your needed opening underneath and drawers.
Fori
8 years ago
What about a small dresser? You can sometimes find them 15" deep. For something cheap, IKEA's Hemnes line is available in a white or blue (!) stained pine that could probably be rusticated. (I'd avoid the colors that are particle board, though!)
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Some other random thoughts w/ links to illustrate (I gave up on finding the original links--these are from my Pinterest board, but I think you can find the original links there if you want them) Re: that extra depth in the upper cabinets, and overhead pullouts. Imagine this as a pullout from the side that lets you access the rear 12" or 18" for the upper section of the cabinet (while you still access the front 12" or 6" inches by opening doors). https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428927703/ Similar rear pullout to access back depth (this one is in the knee-hole of a craft desk, but it's the same sort of idea--access the depth by pulling it out to the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037432245478/ similar side-access pullouts or drawers: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428927706/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037428932903/ This is my favorite overhead pullout for full depth. You pull it out, but you access the shelves from the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434813694/ Other overhead pullouts: These are to the front https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434480577/ These chef's drawers are a neat way to have full access to the depth without having to have a separate bin or basket. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591751/ This is an interesting (but elaborate) way to have lots of shallow, accessible storage in a deep cabinet. You lose some of the space, frankly, to the organizing system itself. But it's interesting to think about. You could conceivably use something similar for only a small section. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434646254/ Here's something to ponder about creating a cabinet on the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591800/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037434591784/ If you do want some sort of writing surface, consider something temporary like this pull-out ledge/shelf. That'll keep it from becoming a clutter catcher, but still let you write something now and then. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046614/ Back-of-the-door storage. This one w/ a vacuum. It shows using hooks on the wall behind, back-of-door storage as well. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046844/ Back-of-door storage look at the hooks on the sides of the door cubbies. This would let you have easy access to the dog leash, extra keys, whatever, and still have substantial bins for other stuff (mittens; those shoes) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429046869/ This isn't a cabinet at all, but it sort of shows having sideways pullouts, and pullouts of different sizes. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429213715/ Another sideways-accessed pullout. Not that you're storing cans, but it's a way to have deep cabinets for shallow or small stuff. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429213913/ Recycling pullouts, on the bottom: See this laundry-basket storage. This is on the front, but you could have one bottom cubby that pulls out from the side. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429524380/ Tilt-out laundry storage, which could inspired recycling storage, or a basket/bin/bucket for gardening shoes. (could tilt out sideways, or front ways) https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037429524386/ Tilt-out on the side, sort of. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/302656037435705334/
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Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
I have looked on the O site, as well as Ikea, but so far, nothing in the right size. Never occurred to me to look at Amazon! Will check there too. I might also look at the unfinished furniture store nearby. I could always make it a little DIY painting project...
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
New, I'm thinking Bradshaw Kirschoffer or Maine Country Cottage (do I have those names right). Layla Grace has a pretty good search engine for that stuff IIRC.

Or, the serendipity of antiques. We have a lot of really good consignment shops in are area that are great for finding those kinds of pieces.
deegw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I am not a fan of Wayfair but they do have an excellent search engine. If you scroll down this page, on the far left you can enter your height and width parameters. if you find something you like you can order from them or Google image search the picture of the item to find out if they sell it elsewhere.

http://www.wayfair.com/All-Bookcases-l38-c1780385-O1997~Wood.html

You could paint this one:

http://www.wayfair.com/International-Concepts-Unfinished-Wood-36-Bookcase-SH-3630X-WI1965.html
jlc712
8 years ago
Ballard has these:

Or this is from dutchcrafters.com, you can get whatever finish you want:

Overstock has a few cute ones:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Powell-Aubrey-3-drawer-Cabinet/10106611/product.html?refccid=S7VGADWOOINJZ6KMFDNWLD7W6E&searchidx=176

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/French-Heritage-Small-3-drawer-Chest/9375651/product.html?refccid=MFJS55OIE44ZEOCARBHAU5WQ5E&searchidx=21
OutsidePlaying
8 years ago
I was thinking about Etsy. Some of the crafts people there often have items that can be made to spec. If you find something you like, it might be worth sending a message to the person and asking if it can be made in a specific size to meet your needs.

I almost pulled the trigger on an Etsy piece for our laundry room. We seem to dump our shoes in a deep corner spot next to the washer, and there is always a jumble of shoes plus a small wastebasket (for dryer lint, etc) there. I was looking for something to keep things a bit more organized but never quite did it for some reason.
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
I've been thinking about it and I think you should go custom. That's always the best way to maximize space and utility, and you have a small space that you want to do a lot of things. If your household is like mine, a space like that will be a mess unless it is easy to use. LOL, and even then, come to think of it!

Also, any low cost furniture piece with drawers, in my experience, the drawers do not open and close well and so they usually are left half open or forsaken altogether.

It needn't be really costly; instead of drawers you can use baskets. But a custom box with shelves and feet will maximize space.
Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for all the suggestions...not sure if any quite fit the bill, but I will keep some in mind. Mtn, you may be right but of course I need to exhaust all other possibilities first. I should poke around in some consignment/antique stores, too. I was supposed to meet a friend at Brimfield this weekend but she had to cancel and I don't really feel like going alone, but I bet I would have found something there!
My3dogs ME zone 5A
8 years ago
Have you checked Craigslist in your area?
Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes! Nothing...yet...
homepro01
8 years ago
Ikea sells kitchen base cabinets that are 15" deep. They can be configured in many ways.

Good luck!
Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
Oh, that looks like a project that may be beyond my level of DIY!

I found this, which I think is my best option so far. It is the perfect size if I add 4" or 6" legs to the bottom, to clear the floor register. https://www.millstores.com/categorydetail.cfm?cattype=1&catcode=109H&sku=40-M3236&prodname=32%22X%2036%22%20Maple%20Bookcase
Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
Never mind, DH doesn't like my solution. He thinks we need more clearance around that heat register. I am continuing to look for something but I will probably have to have something made eventually. I even looked for a wall shelf unit that we could mount to the wall there, leaving several inches of space underneath for the darn heat, but can't find the right size.
deegw
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There are covers that you can put on vents to direct the air flow. Would something like this make your husband feel better about the clearance?

http://www.amazon.com/ATB-Amazing-Air-Vent-Deflector/dp/B00CIY1POQ
Sueb20
Original Author
8 years ago
Omg! That is brilliant. How come I didn't know about this gizmo? Hurrah! Thank you, thank you!
Elraes Miller
8 years ago
I have a vent cover that is longer so the heat is extends outside of my bookcase which has legs. It looks the same, just longer. The short one will still only blow heat under the furniture.

Wayfair was mentioned as a go to. I wouldn't. The same furniture seen on their site is available all over, they are higher priced. Usually if I find something there, will do a search and easily see the same for about 25% less and free shipping.

jlc712 I love those and can easily see the possibility of replicating.

Help me find odd-sized storage furniture

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Elraes Miller

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